An Ideal for Trekking the Visapur Fort.

Saturday, May 30, 2015 0 Comments A+ a-

Visapur Fort

Type                                                 Visapur is Hill fort      
Difficulty level                               Visapur fort is medium trek.   
Height                                              Visapur is 3038ft (926 mtrs) above sea level.        
Base village / District / Taluka    Lohagadwadi, Lonavala / Pune / Maval, Maharashtra, India.

History of Visapur Fort

view of visapur fort
Back View of Visapur Fort from the Base village
This region was under the rule of Bahmani rule but Nizamshah took over the region after them. In the treaty of Mahuli they lost the fort to Mughals. Mughals were unable to administrate the fort hence Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1660 and even many other forts in this region. 
Anyhow Shivaji Maharaj couldn't retain the fort and lost to mughals in the 'treaty of purandar' of 1665In 1682 Shahbuddin attacked this region and killed 60 Marathas, some of them managed to escape to Visapur. 
They were followed by the enemies. But Colonel prother captured visapur fort on 4th march 1818 followed by Lohagad. There is lot of Hanuman temples around the fort hence lord hanuman was worshipped on this fort.


Time to reach the top  
It will take around 1hrs - 1 hrs 30mins from the base village. (Lohagadwadi)

Minimum Duration  
1 day.

Best time to visit the fort
Any time you can visit Visapur fort.
  
Water Availability
Yes water available on the fort. 

Accommodation Availability
There is shelter available on the fort, Caves which can accommodate 30-35 peoples.

Places to visit on the Visapur Fort  

Large plateau, Bastion, Hanuman Temple.
We can see other forts from the top of Visapur are Pawnadam, Lohagad , Tikona, Korigad, Bhaje Caves.
fortified visapur
Fortification of Visapur fort

Lets find How to reach to Visapur Fort

Way from Pune to Visapur Fort
From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses or local transport are available to Lonavala (80 kms), or there are also Express and local trains available from Pune to Lonavala.
This train will drop you at Malavali Station, from Malavali Station after crossing the express-highway and you reached Bhaje village, after walking for 1 hrs 30 mins-2 hrs then you will turn to right from 'Gaimukh Khind' then you will turn left you reach at base village of fort (Lohagadwadi).

Way from Mumbai to Visapur Fort
From Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses or local transport are available to Lonavala (89 kms), or there are also Express and local trains available from mumbai to LonavalaView Local Train Time Table 17.30pm,18.10pm,19.05pm,20.00pm,21.00pm,22.10pm).
This train will drop you at Malavali Station, from Malavali Station after crossing the express-highway and you reached Bhaje village, after walking for 1 hrs 30 mins-2 hrs then you will turn to right from 'Gaimukh Khind' then you will turn left you reach at base village of fort (Lohagadwadi).

Places to visit nearby the Visapur Fort 

Lohagad fort 
This fort is around 3400 ft and easy in climbing. The fort is from the satvahaan period which is around 2000 years back Buddhist monks would shelter in the Bhaje caves and Bedse caves which are located in the Visapur Mountains. 
This fort was built with an intention to keep an eye on the Nane Maval, Korbaarse Maval and Andhra Maval. The fort went in the hands of Nizamshahi rule in 1489 after the fall of Bahmni kingdom they managed the fort till 1630.
In the same year Adilshah captured the fort from Nizamshah. After18 year's Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort from adilshah, he also captured Torna after two years. Netaji palkar was appointed as guardian of the fort and nearby areas.  
Purandar was invaded by jaisingh mirza raje and attacked many places near Pune region and many villages with Lohagad fort. Kutubuddin attacked many villages here. 
From Lohagad around 1000 to 1500 soldiers came down but couldn't hold for much time and went. Lohagad went in the hands of Aurangzeb according the 'treaty of purandar'.
Aurangzeb broke the treaty and Shivaji Maharaj won the fort in 1670. Later after 30 years Aurangzeb captured the fort in 1700, Shahu Maharaj assigned the fort to Kanhoji Angre. Balaji vishwanath controlled the fort in 1720.The fort was renovated, developed the fort he made second and fourth entrance stronger.  
Dhondopant Nitsure shifted his treasury to Lohagad, which was treasured in Laxmi Kothi. 
Nana phadnis passed in 1800.General Wellesley decided to capture the fort. In 1818 during British reign they captured Visapur and eventually Lohagad went in the hands of Britishers, Without wastage of their ammunitions or wealth.
You can find more information of Lohagad Here


Bhaje Caves 
These caves were under the influence of Buddhist and Satvahaans. The caves are decorated with wooden architecture's we can see central arch which is Chaitya arches. Cave 18 is a Buddhist monastery has a rectangular hall .
It has two cells the vearndah has two important sculptures famous enough to left side of the door we can see a person who is driving elephant which has ankusa (elephant god).this figure is called as Indra by the locals. Apart from cave 18, there are decorative caves in bhaja it has same monasteries but they are simple.

Tung  
Tung was built by Adilshahi dynasty captured by Shivaji Maharaj, later this fort was added in Swarajya in 1657, and Tikona fort did not have much importance than others in this region.  Jaisingh attacked this region in 1665, from Netaji Palkar who was given the duty to guard this region in 1660.  
Dilerkhan destroyed the nearby villages of Tung and tikona, but he failed to gain this fort. On 12th June 1665 according to treaty of Purandar, Kubadkhan with Halalkhan and others took over the forts. Tung was small that hardly 200 troops could reside on the fort; this fort was built as a watch tower.

Korigad
This fort is 3048 feet above the sea level and easy trek Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort along with Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657 and included this fort in his swarajya.
Colonel prother captured this fort after a big struggle on 14th march he dropped a cannon ball in the ammunition stock of the fort he succeeded to capture Ghangad along with this fort. Korigad has a Ganesh Darwaja which is the entrance from Pethshahpur Village.
Fort still has many remnants of the old structure, Temple of Korlai Devi which has an idol of 4 feet and this temple is renovated there is a Deepmala on the fort which is situated in front of the temple. There are 6 canons on the fort from which one of the canons named "LAXMI" is situated near the temple more temples can be found on the fort.

Tikona Fort  
This fort is at an height of 3500 feet and easy climbing.Nizamshahi sardar Malik won the fort in 1585 which was included it in Adilshahi province. Shivaji Maharaj in 1657 with other forts which are Mahuli, Lohgad, Visapur, Songad, Tala and Karnala were included in Swarajya.
Path to the fort. This fort was used as watch tower to secure Panmala, Netaji Aplekar were appointed for the security of the area in 1660.According the treaty of Purandar 12 June 1665. Kubadkhan, Halalkhan and other sardars took control of this area. Limestone Grinding stone.
In 1818 during the attack of Britishers fort was destroyed by them.
NOTE  Tikona is small fort which requires less than one day so no hault is required trekkers can also complete Tung on the same day. Some other spots nearby are Shakti sai baba mandir(Madshi),Wagjai mandir(Nangaon) Caves and mandir.
The fort can be finished in one day so it is not necessary to stay on the fort. There are caves but they are not in the state of accommodation.Trekkers are advised to go by private vehicles as there are less modes of transportation. Fort can be easily guided by the villagers Mahadev Mandir.

Bedse caves
"The caves have been carved in 1st century the caves are in the direction of the sunrise so early morning when the sun rays come on the caves it looks wonderful". The carvings are also can beautifully seen.
An incident says that the caves where once visited by a British officer he discovered about the fort and he renewed the caves carvings and repainted the caves by which the original carvings where lost.